We don’t yet have the final results. But Virginia news radio station WINA 1070 is projecting that Question 1, the Virginia eminent domain reform referendum question, is going to pass by an “overwhelming” margin. For reasons I outlined here and here, this is an important improvement over the present Virginia constitution, which is one of the worst in the nation when it comes to protecting property rights. Question 1 is by no means perfect. But it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
This continues a longstanding national trend in which post-Kelo eminent domain reform referendum initiatives usually pass overwhelming, except in a few cases where they were paired with extraneous unpopular items. I discussed referendum initiatives that have passed in other states in this article.
I realize that this probably will not be the most important Virginia election result of the night. But it is significant for anyone interested in property rights issues.
UPDATE: A. Barton Hinkle of the Richmond Times-Dispatch recently posted a good column on Question 1 and its success.
UPDATE: The election returns are now available, and Question 1 got an impressive 74.7% of the vote.